Umarekawatta “Kensei” Wa Raku o Shitai

Back at the inn, I briefed Iris and Aria again on the current situation.

The Swordsmen were originally an organization of ten, but six have already died. I was the four of them, and Ruino was the two of them.

Of the four remaining men, one raided the headquarters of the Black Wolf Knights in Wang Du, where Ruino and the Knights became cooperative.

One of them, Xenas Lardei, escaped, but he's probably coming to this town - and that Ruino's own aim is me.

"As for Ruino, as long as the swordsmen are around, they may not be after me. Even when you were with Mr. Iris, she disappeared, didn't she?

"Yes, he's gone when he finds out."

"Then the kid named Ruino is going to keep his word for once. From what I've heard, I don't think that's the type."

"Right. I've never been more alert."

I nodded and answered Aria's words.

In addition to the swordsmen after me, a girl named Ruino is an irregular being. Two swordsmen have already been buried alone and one has repelled, even though he cooperated with Remill.

Even as far as listening to Illis is concerned, I know he's quite capable.

It would be helpful if Ruino was such a pure ally...... I've already heard from Remill.

Instead of entering into a cooperative relationship with Ruino, the Black Wolf Knights promised to "let me see you".

Remill gave me the rare look of sorry and told me the truth.

As for Remill, I guess he didn't want me, his subordinate, to meet Ruino, who was only a risk factor.

That's a woman named Remill as the Knights Commander.... but she is in the position of the Knights Commander, so she has to make the best choice.

Working with Ruino, he concluded that the only way to make things better was by putting me at risk.

I generally agree with that conclusion.

Assuming the aim was Illis, I would blame Remill, but if the aim is just me, it's completely different. - Double my salary this month, so I'm hitting my hand.

"I told the two of you what's going on… the swordsmen and Ruino are after me. I don't want any more cooperation from you."

"! Doctor, we were talking about cooperating earlier, weren't we?

Aria frowns and says dissatisfied.

Earlier, by the sea, I made a promise to cooperate with Aria - that's a fact.

However, the status quo has changed incrementally.

"The enemy was still obscure then. But now the swordsmen and Ruino...... the enemy is perfectly clear. Because one of these days, about Ruino, he's the one who might defeat the swordsmen. The swordsmen are the only ones to be on guard."

"Then I think I can be fat too"

Now Illis will answer my words. [M]

They both show their will to fight for me, naturally. … there was a real tendency to talk about it.

More than I think, it would mean that the two of us are looking at it as a 'subject to protect'.

That's the same thing with me.

"Of course, I think you two would be able to fight each other. But... as I have said many times, you are students."

"I know that. But even teachers are kids."

"I'm certainly a child, but I'm a lecturer at school - and a knight. Many knights have already arrived in this town, including the captain. Just to be clear, your power will not be necessary at this time."

"... eh"

My words cloud the look on Iris's face. - You don't have to, being said that would surely be a hurtful word for Illis.

Illis is not the only one. I won't put it on your face, but Aria may be hurt to hear me. [M] Still, that's the same fact for me.

"- So if the enemy strikes, I'll take care of everything. Don't worry about that. Is that good?

"... ok, ok"

"Does that convince you, too, Aria?

"I'm not convinced. But if the teacher says so, I will obey."

"That would be helpful if you said so. Just don't do anything to you two - that's not what I'm saying."

"! That's..."

"As for the situation, it doesn't make a difference that it's an emergency. So, for example, if I have a situation where I have to get away from my students, in an emergency, I need your help."

"Me and Iris, you want me to protect the other kids?

"You guys think you can do that. Of course, it's my job and that of the knights to keep you safe. However, I would also like to ask you to cooperate in this way from me. Will you take it?

To my inquiry, it was Iris who brightened his expression.

Answer without straying with a nod with a face full of determination by Illis.

"Of course it is. Even in exchange for this life, I will protect you all."

"Haha, because your life is important too, not in lieu of your life, right?

"Then I will protect Iris in my stead."

Then I'll protect you, including Aria.

"Then so am I."

For some reason, the two of us start a stakeout in that place.

What I'm leaving to you is, in some cases, a life-saving thing - both Iris and Aria, take it on with pleasure.

I'm counting on their strength, too.

Basically, I wish I could solve this by myself.

However, the truth is that the other person has more than one person - who doesn't know what's going to happen, even as it stands.

(... it would be safe if I took a distance from the students - that would have been nice)

A swordsmen named Rustyle took Iris hostage and tried to make contact with me.

That sort of thing, there's someone who comes along fine.

If you want to think about it too, having Iris and Aria ready in case is the best choice.

In this way, we also became cooperative with the swordsmen.

Raul Isarf was living late in life - away from people.

Having crossed numerous battlefields, Raul is called the Sword Saint, and in one country he is treated like a hero, and in one country he is the object of awe.

If Kensei is on his side, the country triumphs. - But there are always those who 'defeat' against 'victory'.

That was the only thing that would ever change.

"Phew..."

Deep in the woods - finish your salary outside the cabin and sigh small.

Not that I'm going to see anyone, but I get my grey hair done and flush it back. The beard I had grown was also dyed white.

That's what a late Sword Saint looks like. Raul already understands well the decay of his own body.

I kept fighting in battle - even as I became an old body, I kept fighting.

And what's left of him is the title of "The Strongest" called Kensei.

If you are one with a sword, everyone goes for that pole.

But what Raul gets when he gets to that pole is nothing more.

Raul has no family to protect, and no one to take care of him.

"Is this my life..."

"Hey, don't you have a lot of time?"

"... what can I do for you"

It was an old man, as well, who appeared before Raul immersed in sentiment.

The old man, with a strong body, smiles when he sees Raul.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa That attitude."

"I don't think of you as a friend. Besides, it hasn't been that long. I would have been here about a month ago."

"It's been a long time since the public said that! I brought you booze. Because of this, let's drink."

Old man - Souki Tomra tried to show off the liquor bottle he held in his hand, he said.

Souki is a swordsman and a person who has been active since he was a mercenary.

Raul and I used to meet each other on the battlefield.

Should I say lucky for Souki, Raul and I were never relative to each other - it was all about being in a cooperative relationship as companions to each other.

Raul was special, there was nothing like getting along with someone... but only a guy named Souki is coming under Raul even when he's old like this.

Raul hasn't admitted it... but it can also be said to be the only connection to old him.

All Souki talks about is the lack of other love.

"You don't live in the capital, do you? There's a lot of inconvenience here."

"Nothing like that. It's easier alone."

"Say that. In the city and the countryside, you mean you prefer to live in the countryside?

"I've told you many times, it's just easier for one. Either way. You're here to talk about that?

"You're not interested in the situation in the country, are you?

"No."

"I guess...... Actually, there's going to be another war soon."

"Right. So?"

"... I'm thinking of moving away with my family"

"Right."

To Souki's words, Raul nodded without changing his attitude.

Souki shrugs her shoulders at Raul's unsatisfactory attitude.

"Dude, is that all?

"If you're not going to fight, you're right to do so"

"... well. You might not be able to come here either. So if there's a war and there's damage here..."

"You think I'm gonna lose?

"... that was an extra favor. Well, not just that story..."

"What?

"I'm not saying goodbye, but if you ever see my family anywhere, don't ask me to do you a favor"

"I have you, you take care of yourself. You need me to do something?

"Ha, you're absolutely right. But you and I, we're friends, right? I begged you!

Smile, says Souki. That was the last time I met a man who called himself a friend about Raul on his own.